By Austin Duncan
NORMAL, Ill- The Illinois State Redbirds won its third game against a member of the Ohio Valley Conference at Redbird Arena this season downing Tennessee State 66-55 in ISU’s final nonconference game of the 2015-16 campaign.
The Redbirds used a pair of 3-pointers from forwards Deontae Hawkins and Nick Banyard to collect an 8-6 lead at the 15:09 mark of the first half.
Illinois State would continue to rely on the 3-point shot as Mikyle McIntosh made one a part of an 8-0 run to expand its lead to 13-6 with 13:14 to play in the half.
Tennessee State halted ISU’s run on a dunk by Tahjere McCall at the 11:44 mark of the first half.
The Redbirds expanded its lead to as many as nine before a 3-pointer from Christian Griggs-Williams which cut the lead to 22-16.
Illinois State then used a 7-0 run, including a layup for freshman Roland Griffin to inflate its lead to 29-17 with 5:02 remaining in the half. ISU continued its hot shooting, making 8 of 15 first half 3-point attempts. Five of nine Redbirds who played in the first half made at least one 3-pointer, including senior guard Justin McCloud who gave ISU a 32-19 lead with 3:19 remaining in the half.
Tennessee State’s 23 points were the fewest allowed in a first half by ISU this season, as ISU led at halftime 35-23.
Banyard, Hawkins, and guard Tony Wills led a balance scoring effort in the first half, all with six points. McIntosh and Griffin added five first half points apiece.
The Redbirds came out of the locker room with an 11-0 run early in the second half to inflate its lead to 46-28 with 15:07 to play in the game.
The Tigers stopped the run at the 14:27 mark on a layup by Wayne Martin.
Tennessee State made a short run, cutting the defect to 13 before a jumper from Wills that put ISU back up 15 with 10:14 remaining. The Tigers would cut the Redbird lead to just 10 on a 3-pointer from Neville Fincher with 2:22 to play, and that is as close as TSU would get for the remainder of the game.
Tennessee State head coach Dana Ford returned to Redbird Arena after having played for ISU in the early 2000’s and acted as associate head coach under Illinois State head coach Dan Muller.
Muller turned a few heads when the starting lineup was announced. For the first time this season as guards Paris Lee and Devaughn Akoon-Purcell were not in the lineup. Sophomore forward Deontae Hawkins now remains the only Redbird to have started in every game.
Lee finished the game playing just three minutes, after averaging nearly 30 minutes prior. Akoon-Purcell ended with 21 minutes played.
The Redbirds scoring remained balanced as Hawkins, Griffin, and Akoon-Purcell all had 10 points. Wills and McIntosh added nine each. Banyard collected a career-high 11 rebounds. Senior guard Justin McCloud found his range connecting on both of his 3-point attempts.
Illinois State made 22 baskets on 14 assists. Eight of 11 Redbirds who entered the game were credited for at least one assist. Griffin led the team with three assists.
Griffin played a season high 34 minutes, while Wills and Banyard played 31 minutes apiece.
Freshman forward David Ndiaye had career-highs in rebounds (6), and blocks (5) in just 14 minutes of play.
Tennessee State was pace Keron Deshields’ 16 points, and Griggs-Williams added 12 points.
This loss snaps a seven-game win streak for Dana Ford’s Tigers, as it falls to 9-3 on the season.
Illinois State ends its nonconference season with a 6-7 record.
The Redbirds will return to action when it opens Missouri Valley Conference play against Missouri State on Wednesday, December 30. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Redbird Preview will begin at 6 p.m.
Listen to postgame comments from head coach Dan Muller and junior forward Nick Banyard here.
Austin Duncan can be reached at [email protected]
